Rochdale Council will be investigated as part of a major independent inquiry into historic child sex abuse, it was announced today.

The Anglican and Catholic churches, ‘certain people of public prominence associated with Westminster’ and a series of named institutions will also come under the government-backed inquiry’s spotlight.

Justice Lowell Goddard, leading the probe, confirmed the inquiry would investigate ‘failings to protect children in the care or supervision of Rochdale Council’.

The inquiry’s first phase of investigations will also examine Cambridge House Hostel, a privately-run care home for boys in Rochdale , and the former Knowl View special school.

An investigation was carried out by police in the late 1960s into former Rochdale MP Sir Cyril Smith ’s links with now-closed Cambridge House. Officers presented allegations and concluded Smith had abused his position to indecently assault young boys there.

A prosecution however was not pursued.

Sir Cyril Smith

Separate files about Smith and Cambridge House were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service in 1998 and 1999, but no further action was taken.

Justice Goddard, a New Zealand judge, said child sexual abuse in residential schools and custodial institutions nationally would also be examined.

Speaking in central London, the judge set out 12 different areas which will all come under initial scrutiny by the inquiry in separate investigations, including Rochdale council, Cambridge House and Knowl View. Public hearings are expected to be held.

The nationwide probe was set up last year following claims of a high-level cover up of abuse and has been beset by delays following the resignations of two previous chairwomen. It will be Britain’s largest-ever public inquiry and is expected to take up to five years and cost tens of millions of pounds.

Knowl View school

Justice Goddard said: “The investigation will focus on high-profile allegations of child sexual abuse involving current or former members of parliament, senior civil servants, government advisers and members of intelligence and security agencies.

“It will consider allegations of cover up and conspiracy and review the adequacy of law enforcement responses to these allegations.

“Twelve investigations are proposed for this first phase. They will all begin with immediate effect and most, if not all, will culminate in public hearings. They represent the first phase of the inquiry’s investigations and are by no means the total of the work we intend to conduct. Further investigations will be announced as the inquiry progresses.”

In a series of tweets today, Rochdale Council said: “We will give our full support to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and make available any resources it requires. Since 2012 we have overhauled our children’s services and our work is now nationally-recognised.”

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said: “It’s pleasing to see that the campaigning by myself and others has resulted in such an in-depth and wide ranging investigation.

“After a faltering start to the inquiry I hope Justice Goddard will now be given the time and resources to carry out this vitally important work.

“As ever, the focus should remain on the victims of these horrendous crimes. No inquiry, regardless of how wide ranging, will ever undo these traumatic experiences. But we can ensure that the truth is discovered and that vulnerable children are protected in the future.

“Much has been learned in Rochdale in recent years when it comes to tackling child abuse, but there are still many questions left unanswered. This inquiry will be uncomfortable for our town but a necessary part of the healing process.”